Student_Life_Chaplain

Mission Statement for the Volunteer Chaplaincy

Blackburn College, along with the Office of Student Life, has implemented a program called the Volunteer Chaplaincy. This program is designed to bring leaders of faith from Carlinville and the surrounding area to meet the spiritual needs of the students on campus. Volunteer Chaplains provide an opportunity for students to have one-on-one conversations with a leader of their faith right here on Blackburn campus. This program also provides a resource for students who have questions about their spirituality in a safe environment.

To ensure the accessibility of students to the Volunteer Chaplains, there are scheduled times for the volunteers to be on campus everyday from 11:00a.m. until 1:00p.m. in the Campus Center. For private, confidential discussions, an office is available for the student and chaplain to use. In addition to providing spiritual guidance to the students, Volunteer Chaplains also lead worship services on a bi-weekly basis every Tuesday and Thursday from 4:00 to 4:30p.m. Services are based on the denomination of the chaplain as to provide a worship opportunity for students who ascribe to that faith on campus. By conducting the services in the denomination of the Volunteer Chaplain, it also provides an opportunity for students to learn about different faith practices.

Another component of the Volunteer Chaplaincy is the Theological Lecture Series. The goal of this program is to discuss topics that will help to challenge one’s ideas on a theological level and to help further the educational development of the students. These lectures include a variety of topics ranging from politics to the sciences. It is our hope here that these programs will not just be a learning experience for the students of our campus but for the community as well. To allow for community participation in this series, the Theological Lectures take place in the evening.

Before becoming a Volunteer Chaplain here at Blackburn College, all Chaplains must sign an agreement form. Additionally, only those churches that abide by the mission of Blackburn College may participate in the Volunteer Chaplaincy.

Volunteer Chaplains
	Name: Rev. Justin Kinder Church: Charity Baptist Church Number: 854-8763 Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Gardening, Basketball, watching Cardinals Games
Directions to Church: Rte. 4 North (Past Macoupin County Garage) Look for white sign on left side of road that says Charity. Take left on to Colbrook. Follow Colbrook to Charity Church Rd. Take left on Charity Church Rd. Personal Information: I have grown up in Gillespie, IL all of my life and came to Christ shortly after my oldest sister passed away in a car accident in 1998. I felt that God had called me to preach and teach His word. My wife Carmen and I are in our fist full time ministry at Charity and we have a longing to help college students come to know Christ.
	Name: Rev. Peter Kirby Church: Zion Lutheran Church Number: 854-8514 Hobbies: Walking/ Hiking, Gardening, Computers, Reading.
Directions to Church: West on University to Broad St. 8 Blocks South on Broad thru square to 501 South Broad St. Personal Information: I have spent 8 years as a missionary in Kingston, Jamaica, and love talking with students and answering questions. I also treasure the bible as God’s word and look toward it for answers. I am also married and have two teenage children. Prior to church work, I was trained as an engineer.
	Name: Rev. Larry L. Mouser Church: Calvary United Pentecostal Church Number: 854-8724 Hobbies:
Directions to Church: Take route 108 west into Carlinville, IL and look for the church on the right side of the road before you get to the county courthouse. Personal Information: I love sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
	Name: Pastoral Minister Georgiana Stubner, O.P. Church: St. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church Number: 854-7151 Hobbies: Walking, Gardening, Reading
Directions to Church: The first church on your right as you come into Carlinville on Route 108. Personal Information: I am a Dominican sister from Springfield, IL and enjoy listening to people. I have taught in schools and now love ministering in parishes. I have also ministered in Peru, S.A. for 2 and a half years and believe in working for peace in a non-violent way.
	Name: Sister Mary Lou Owens OP Church: St. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church Number: 854-7151 Hobbies: Baking, Reading, White Sox Fan
Directions to Church: The first church on your right as you come into Carlinville on Route 108. Personal Information: I love people! I try to be a good listener. I feel we can find God in the experiences of daily living. I strive to know the presence of God in my life. I also try to help others to know and realize God’s goodness and presence in their lives.
	Name: Rev. Jeff Johnson Church: The Federated Church Number: 854-3031 Hobbies: Reading, Walking, Talking about international affairs
Directions to Church: 122 East Second South, behind the Carlinville Post Office, Southwest of the Courthouse. Personal Information: I enjoy listening to the cares and concerns of students. I also appreciate opportunities to pray with people and love to share my experience of finding God in the midst of tough times as “strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow”.
	Name: The Very Rev. John C. Bettmann Church: St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Number: 854-6431 Hobbies: Reading, Walking
Directions to Church: Take Nicholas West to N. Broad. Turn left and go South several blocks. South of square. Church is on the left. Personal Information: I am interested in helping people grow spiritually and believe in meeting people where they are in life. I am also committed to preaching God’s love to all people, and am interested in a lifetime of learning.
	Name: Youth Assoc. Pastor Douglas Misch Church: First Assembly of God (Pentecostal Worship) Number: 854-8924 Hobbies: Jogging, Reading
Directions to Church: South on Route 4 for 3/4 of a mile. Personal Information: I love God and people. I am easy to talk to, down to earth and want to help students form a relationship with God
	Name: Rev. Martin E. Miller Church: Memorial Christian Church Number: 854-2639 Hobbies: Distance Running, History, Hunting
Directions to Church: From Blackburn go west to Charles Street turn left and go four blocks. Personal Information: I remember that the college year was where I made many of the most important and far reaching decisions of my life: marriage, career, philosophy of life and commitment to God. Faith in God helped me to make these decisions and plan my life.
	Name: Father Dean Probst Church: St. Mary and Joseph Catholic Church Number: 854-7151 Hobbies: Racquetball
Directions to Church: The first church on your right as you come into Carlinville on Route 108. Personal Information: I treasure Gods gospel "to see God more clearly to love God more dearly and follow God more nearly these things I pray day by day", I hold dear the scripture "there is more rejoicing in heaven over 1 repentant sinner and I have loved you and you are mine". At the moment I am also studying church law. Note: I am not available except during Christmas break from school in Washington DC.

Contact Information

College Counselor Robert Weis Email
Phone: 854-3231 ext. 4201

Spiritual Coordinator David Benning Email
Phone: 854-3231 ext. 4250

Blackburn College Volunteer Chaplaincy